Secure Tax & Accounting, Inc. is regularly featured and referenced by leading financial media outlets for insights on tax policy, retirement planning, and financial strategy. Our goal is to help translate complex tax and financial topics into clear, practical guidance for individuals, families, and business owners.

The articles highlighted on this page reflect media coverage where our perspectives and analysis have contributed to conversations around evolving tax laws, retirement planning strategies, investment considerations, and broader economic trends affecting everyday Americans. These features demonstrate our commitment to helping readers better understand financial decisions that impact their long-term goals.

Featured media outlets include:
Kiplinger • Reuters • MarketWatch • CNBC • Bloomberg • Investopedia • Yahoo Finance • AOL Finance • Morningstar • TheStreet • Accounting Today • Moneywise • The Daily Upside • The Sun • Bitget News • And many more...

Articles are listed from most recent (top) to earlier (bottom) so readers can easily follow latest commentary and insights.

We hope you find these articles informative and helpful. If you have questions about any of the topics discussed, or would like to understand how these insights may apply to your own financial situation, please feel free to reach out. Our team at Secure Tax & Accounting, Inc. is always available to provide thoughtful guidance and help you make confident financial decisions.

Media Features & Interviews

Joon Um, certified financial planner and enrolled agent at Secure Tax & Accounting in Beverly Hills, California: "One question I often ask is: 'Have you worked with an advisor before, and what did you like or not like about that experience?' It's a simple, more personal question, but it usually opens up a much more honest conversation. 

“From our experience, it’s worked out well in the right situations,” agreed Joon Um, advisor at Secure Tax and Accounting in Beverly Hills. “It can be a bit involved with underwriting, life expectancy reviews and multiple offers, so it’s not always quick.” 

  • MSN (Published 4/9/26):

One example of being left high and dry can be found during the devastating Los Angeles wildfires that took place in early January 2025. Joon Um, a CFP at Secure Tax and Accounting in Hayward, California, told CNBC that many of his clients had to dip into their retirement savings during this time, in order to manage unexpected expenses.

  • CNBC (Published 4/8/26):

“Don’t just rush to contribute because of the deadline,” said certified financial planner Joon Um, managing owner of financial firm Secure Tax and Accounting in Hayward, California. “Make sure it actually fits your situation.”

“Context really matters,” said Joon Um, a tax advisor at Secure Tax and Accounting, a financial planning and accounting firm in California. “Where you live, whether you’re single- or dual-income, and whether you had family help all shape what’s realistic. Comparing yourself to national averages can be misleading.”

  • CNBC (Published 4/4/26):

Joon Um, a CFP at Secure Tax & Accounting in Hayward, California, said many of his clients are high earners who did a “great job maxing out their 401(k)s and IRAs, but ended up a bit ‘retirement rich but cash poor.’”

  • CNBC (Published 4/1/26):

“The main thing we remind clients is that inflation quietly erodes purchasing power,” says Joon Um, a certified financial planner with financial firm Secure Tax & Accounting. When it comes to a few percentage points in the CPI, he says, “even small differences matter.”

  • CNBC (Published 3/31/26):

The strategy “sounds great, but timing it is really hard” since no one can predict future market moves, said certified financial planner Joon Um, managing owner of financial firm Secure Tax and Accounting in Hayward, California.

It's important to note that for people with chronic conditions, healthcare is treated as a regular monthly cost, not an occasional expense, says California-based certified financial planner Joon Um (Secure Tax & Accounting)

  • CNBC (Published 3/24/26):

Target-date funds are so-called “funds of funds.” That means, within your target-date fund is a roster of mutual funds that make up the ultimate portfolio. At a very high level, it’s important to know what kind of funds those are so you can know exactly what you’re paying for says Joon Um, a CFP with financial firm Secure Tax & Accounting.

  • CNBC (Published 3/13/26): 

  “We work with many higher-income households who look comfortable on paper, but once you actually look at cash flow, things can be tighter than expected,” says Joon Um, a certified financial planner with Secure Tax & Accounting in Beverly Hills, California. “The biggest issue we see is high fixed costs — housing is usually the largest one.”

"From a tax and planning perspective, volatility can create opportunities," says Joon Um, a certified financial planner and enrolled agent at Secure Tax & Accounting in Hayward, California.

While seeing the market reach record highs might spur savers to contribute more to their retirement accounts, Joon Um, a CFP and owner at Secure Tax & Accounting, notes that people shouldn't just invest more because of strong market performance.

As Joon Um, CFP® and tax adviser at Secure Tax & Accounting, Inc., puts it, "Planning ahead is more important than reacting late"...

  • Bitget: (Published 3/9/26): 

While record-breaking market highs can motivate increased contributions, Joon Um, CFP and owner of Secure Tax & Accounting, cautions against letting market performance alone dictate your investment decisions...

Workers can already use what’s known as an in-service rollover to move some or all of their 401(k) money into another retirement account tax-free while they’re still employed, according to Joon Um, a certified financial planner and managing owner at Secure Tax & Accounting...

"It can be a good strategy for someone stable and conservative with cash reserves,” Joon Um (Secure Tax & Accounting, Inc.), a Los Angeles-based certified financial planner, says of house hopping. But he also cautions that this strategy can come with notable downsides. "Rents don't always go up. During COVID, we saw rents fall quickly in some cities and vacancies spike. Cash flow that looked great on paper disappeared fast"...

Lifestyle creep doesn’t always look reckless on the surface — sometimes it’s just a gym upgrade or a few extra dinners out. For one Los Angeles client of financial planner Joon Um (Secure Tax & Accounting, Inc.), those choices snowballed into $38,000 in credit-card debt...

  • CNBC (Published 2/23/26): 

To estimate whether refinancing makes sense, divide those closing costs by the amount you expect to save each month. The result will show how many months it would take to recover the upfront expense, says Joon Um, a CFP in Beverly Hills, California (Secure Tax & Accounting, Inc.)...

"Fixed mortgage payments in retirement reduce flexibility, so the loan has to be clearly affordable and stress-tested. If it's being used to stretch a budget, that's usually a red flag," wrote Joon Um, a CFP and managing owner at Secure Tax & Accounting, in an email...

“With all the talk about credit card rate caps, it’s a good reminder for people to check the rates across their financial life,” says Joon Um, a financial planner with Secure Tax & Accounting in Beverly Hills, Calif...

“Context really matters,” said Joon Um, a tax advisor at Secure Tax and Accounting, a financial planning and accounting firm in California. “Where you live, whether you’re single- or dual-income, and whether you had family help all shape what’s realistic. Comparing yourself to national averages can be misleading”...

“It makes sense why Gen Z is drawn to reselling,” says Joon Um, a Los Angeles-based certified financial planner (Secure Tax & Accounting, Inc.). “It's flexible, has a low barrier to entry, and can generate quick cash — especially for those already active on social media.” But unlike a full-time job, the income reselling generates can be unpredictable. “The risk isn't reselling itself,” Um adds. “It's assuming early success will always continue.”

  • CNBC (Published 2/14/26):

“From what we see working with older homeowners, lower sale prices usually come from deferred maintenance and last-minute decisions [that are] often driven by tight cash flow in retirement,” said Joon Um, a certified financial planner with Secure Tax & Accounting in Beverly Hills, California...

“I can say that I really like 99% of my clients,” says Joon Um, president of Secure Tax & Accounting in Beverly Hills.  “The rest of the 1%? … we’re still working on building the relationship.”

 “Spending three to five hours together, plus food and drinks after, creates real connection,” said Joon Um, a CFP with Secure Tax & Accounting. “You don’t get that from a quick coffee or Zoom call. It’s not about pitching. Phones are away, no one’s rushed and trust builds naturally.”

 “Retirees with steady income and liquid portfolios may need less cash, while those with higher medical risk or less flexibility need more,” says certified financial planner Joon Um (Secure Tax & Accounting, Inc.). “The goal isn’t to maximize cash. It’s to have enough on hand to avoid selling long-term investments at the wrong... time.”

 Workers can already use what’s known as an in-service rollover to move some or all of their 401(k) money into another retirement account tax-free while they’re still employed, according to Joon Um, a certified financial planner and managing owner at Secure Tax & Accounting...

Ultimately, rolling the dice on sporting events is up to the individual, even if it might not be the best long-term financial decision. But advisors should still know when to put their foot down, said Joon Um, a financial planner with Secure Tax & Accounting...

 “Buying a car today means looking well beyond the sticker price,” said Joon Um, a certified financial planner at Secure Tax & Accounting. “Insurance, taxes, registration, fuel and maintenance can add a lot — especially with newer, tech-heavy cars that are expensive to fix.”

“There’s definitely interest in investing around sports, especially among our Gen Z clients who are earning [a] good income early,” said Joon Um, a financial planner with Secure Tax & Accounting. “Many of them [are] in the social media and creator space, which already overlaps with entertainment and live sports.”

"From what we see working with clients, Social Security leveling can be helpful, but it's easy to misunderstand," said Joon Um, a certified financial planner at Secure Tax & Accounting, Inc...

 “Missing an RMD is stressful, but it's not the end of the world and is usually fixable if handled quickly,” said Joon Um, a tax advisor and CFP at Secure Tax & Accounting in Beverly Hills, California... 

  • CNBC (Published 1/26/26):

 “Even with IRS staffing issues, early filers are typically first in the queue once processing begins,” Joon Um, an IRS enrolled agent and certified financial planner in Los Angeles (Secure Tax & Accounting, Inc.), tells CNBC Make It...

 “I think the younger generation(s) really understand money equals opportunity to experience their life the way they want it,” says Joon Um, a Los Angeles-based certified financial planner (Secure Tax & Accounting, Inc.)...

  • CNBC (Published 1/17/26):

“What we usually tell clients is to think less in terms of months of expenses and more in terms of access to cash for surprises — health-care costs, home repairs or family needs,” said certified financial planner Joon Um, a tax advisor with Secure Tax & Accounting in Beverly Hills, California.

 “The expanded ABLE rules are a big deal because they let more people with disabilities save money without risking their benefits,” said Joon Um, a financial adviser with Secure Tax & Accounting in Beverly Hills, Calif...

Currently, employees can perform what’s called an in-service rollover, which allows them to move some or all of their 401(k) funds into another retirement account without incurring taxes, even while still working, explains Joon Um, a certified financial planner and managing owner at Secure Tax & Accounting...

Joon Um, a certified financial planner with Secure Tax & Accounting, said break-even analysis assumes a fixed lifespan and ignores survivor protection...

 Joon Um, a certified financial planner with Secure Tax & Accounting, echoed that view, saying Medicare choices may feel routine at enrollment but often function like long-term commitments once penalties, underwriting rules, or income-related premium surcharges take effect...

  • CNBC (Published 1/11/26):

This year, “small 401(k) details matter more than ever,” said certified financial planner Joon Um with Secure Tax and Accounting in Hayward, California.

From there, turn to any small balances that are easy to pay off. This can help "shrink the number of active plans and makes things feel manageable again," said Joon Um, a certified financial planner at Secure Tax & Accounting in Hayward, Calif...

 “BNPL isn't evil, but without guardrails, it can quietly spiral.” — Joon Um, CFP, Secure Tax & Accounting...

"The goal isn't perfection — it's making steady progress with a plan you can stick to," says Joon Um, a financial adviser at Secure Tax & Accounting in Beverly Hills, California...

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions for clients is getting more organized, said Joon Um, a financial planner at Secure Tax & Accounting, and advisors can be there to help...

 “With the tax shield gone, forgiveness must be treated as a major tax event, not just a financial win,” said Joon Um, a tax advisor and CFP at Secure Tax & Accounting in Beverly Hills, California...